Sapele Hardwood
The sapwood is pale yellow or whitish, the heartwood pinkish when freshly cut, darkening to typical mahogany colour of reddish-brown and characterised by a marked and regular stripe, particularly pronounced on quarter-sawn surfaces.

Sapele can be found in the rain forests of Western Africa (Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and the Cameroons) It is fairly close textured, and the grain is interlocked. It is harder and heavier than African mahogany. It has a pronounced cedar-like scent when freshly cut. 

Sapele is much harder than African or American mahogany, and in resistance to indentation, bending strength, stiffness, and resistance to shock loads, is practically equal with English oak.

European Oak
Sourced in Europe, including Britain, Russia and Poland. European Oak is very heavy, strong, hard, tough and durable. Oak finishes well, works well and has very little shrinkage. Colour ranges from light to dark brown.

Idigbo Hardwood
This light brown coloured hardwood is of West African origin (specifically Ghana and The Ivory Coast) and is a popular oak alternative, looking very similar once treated.

This attractive and hardwearing wood is ideal for gates.

Scandinavian Redwood
Widely distributed in Europe and Northern Asia.  It is found in the mountains of Spain and the UK, especially in Scotland. 

It is the only true pine indigenous to the British Isles, being native to Scotland and just over the border; eleswhere in the UK the forests are generally the result of planting. 

 The quality of the timber is affected by the conditions of growth, climate, soil, elevation, etc, more than most timbers because of its wide and varying distribution and these factors affect the texture, density, size and number of knots.  The timber is strong and moderately hard.

Iroko Hardwood
Iroko is a hardwood from tropical Africa. It is one of the woods sometimes referred to as African Teak, although it is not always suitable as a substitute for teak. It is used for a variety of purposes including boat-building, domestic flooring and furniture.

From the late 90s, it was used as part of the txalaparta, a Basque musical instrument constructed of wooden boards, due to its lively sound. Initially yellow in colour but darkens to a richer brown over time. It has a similar appearance to teak and less expensive and with the same durability. Dense interlocked graining and high oil content make it a very durable wood and very suitable for external use.

Iroko does not require regular treatment with oil or varnish when used outdoors.

Why Use Wood?

Wood is Environmentally friendly

• Wood from managed forests is sustainable and good for the environment 
• It reduces the effect of global warming as trees and wood products act as carbon sinks 
• It reduces energy use for heating because of its thermal efficiency 
•  It is recyclable 
•  At the end of its use, it can be used as a bio-fuel.

Wood is Reliable 

• Wood has a high strength-to-weight ratio. Strength for strength, pine and spruce are 16 times lighter than steel and 5 times lighter than concrete
• Wood has good fire performance. When timber burns it builds up a protective char layer which insulates the remaining section. This and its low co-efficient of expansion mean its mechanical properties are less affected by fire than other materials like steel, which can buckle and collapse at temperatures little higher than the ignition point for timber 
• Rot is caused by wood remaining wet and poor maintenance. It can easily be prevented by allowing wood to dry properly and treating with recommended stains, paints and preservatives.

Please contact us with any queries you may have about the materials used in the manufacture and the future maintenance of your gate.